News

The following is a list of recent Anderson Regional Medical Center news articles. To read an entire article, please click on the article headline.

Meridian, MS -- Rhonda Boutwell, Director of Social Services at Anderson Regional Medical Center, was recently named Healthcare Social Worker of the Year by the Mississippi Society for Social Work Leadership In Healthcare, Inc.

Meridian, MS -- Officials from the National Weather Service presented Anderson Regional Medical Center with a StormReady® Supporter distinction Wednesday, November 13. Anderson successfully established a set of rigorous warning preparedness protocols necessary to earn the distinction of being a StormReady® Supporter. Fewer than 10 percent of hospitals in Mississippi hold StormReady status.

“We have always had severe weather action plans in place at Anderson. Being a part of the StormReady team gives us more tools to execute these plans better and faster,” said John Bates, Anderson Regional Medical Center Emergency Management Coordinator.

To be recognized as a StormReady Supporter, a hospital must:

Have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings

Have multiple ways to disseminate severe weather warnings within the facility

Develop and routinely exercise a plan to increase preparedness for severe weather

StormReady began in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Ok., area as an initiative to better prepare communities against the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness.

Meridian, MS, August 21, 2013… Anderson Regional Medical Center celebrated the new location of Maternal/Newborn Education, Lactation Consultation, and Newborn Outpatient Services with an open house Tuesday, August 27, from 2-3 pm. This newly renovated area is adjacent to the Birth Center and provides a convenient, comfortable environment for expectant moms and dads to learn about childbirth and parenting.

The Maternal/Newborn Education program offers a variety of classes including: Childbirth, Newborn Care, Breastfeeding, Infant CPR, Big Brother-Big Sister, and Grandparenting. All classes are led by an experienced team of maternal/newborn educators and nurses.

The Lactation Center is staffed by two Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (RN, IBCLC) who provide evidence-based information on the importance of breastfeeding, prenatal breastfeeding classes, assessments while mom and baby are in the hospital, telephone support for concerns and questions that may arise once at home, and follow-up consultations as needed. Consultations are held in a beautiful, private area of the center. The Lactation Center also offers breast pumps for purchase or rent.

The Newborn Outpatient Center provides services such as jaundice tests, hearing screens, and weight measurements during the first two weeks after the baby is discharged from the hospital. These services are typically performed in the nursery, but this new outpatient area allows easier access for new moms.

Reba Lee, RN, IBCLC said, “This outpatient services center has been our dream for a while, and we are thrilled that it has finally come to fruition. We look forward to meeting expectant parents and touring them through our new facility.”

Robin Butler, Nurse Manager, Neonatal Units, added, “Offering maternal/newborn education and lactation consultation to the community is such an important part of our program. Providing a wonderful environment for moms and dads to learn about childbirth and parenting is one more way we are showing our commitment to quality patient care.”

For more information about childbirth classes, lactation consultation or other maternal/newborn services, please call 601-553-6123.

Anderson Regional Medical Center is the largest health care facility in East Mississippi/West Alabama and is home to the most established heart care center and the region’s only comprehensive cancer center.

Meridian, MS, May 30, 2013—Anderson Regional Medical Center recently awarded seven scholarships to Meridian Community College nursing students. This marks the 25th year the hospital has provided a helping hand to area nursing students. The scholarship recipients are outstanding nursing students who receive the honor based on scholastic ability, nursing excellence, the recommendation of Meridian Community College faculty, an application and a written essay on why they chose nursing as a career.